"I'm going to take a look over at Sister Lianhua's place, you all discuss it first, but don't tell Zhenping about this, he's busy with work and it's not good to get him involved."

After Shen Meng finished speaking and was about to leave, Liu Sanjin, who had just been gasping for breath, suddenly found some strength and grabbed Shen Meng.

"What are you doing, are you trying to shirk responsibility? What do you mean by not involving Zhenping? He's the eldest son of the Lu Family, the pillar of the Lu Family. Now his younger brother is in trouble, and he doesn't even show his face or help at all. You two are really heartless. Jiaxuan grew up under his watch, can he really ignore it completely and not care at all?"

"Isn't that statement of yours inappropriate? From the time Lao Si got into trouble until now, hasn't it always been us working on it? What have the second and third sons done, or even Lao Si's wife for that matter? Even if they can't help Lao Si or find connections, shouldn't they come to show filial piety to you two? Oh, yes, it is true that the third son often comes to see you, bringing money and gifts, but you look down on him and Jinghao. It's their stubbornness; they believe that as parents age, past matters should be put behind. They genuinely want to show filial respect, even if they're scolded every time, they're still willing to come. Why? Because they know within the entire Lu Family, you can't rely on anyone. Jinghao and Jiasheng just want to show filial duty. A piece of advice: latch onto this son quickly, or else in the end, there won't even be someone to hand you a glass of water."

Liu Sanjin was furious, like a mad bull, huffing continuously, his face full of anger—more enraged than when he had just heard the bad news about Lu Jiaxuan.

Shen Meng's words were harsh, directly tearing away the cloak that the Lu Family had always used to cover their shame. Apparently, each of the Lu Family's children was extremely promising; even the troublesome second son of the family now had a decent job at the pig farm, earning a monthly wage of sixty or seventy.

But in reality, the Lu Family had long been like a scattered heap of sand.

"No matter what you say, Lao Si is your brother. If something really happens, and you don't pull him up, I won't let it go with you. I… I… at worst, I'll tell the officials that Lao Si was taught by his big brother. If you don't save Lao Si, I won't let you have peace either."

"Slap!"

"Slap!"

Shen Meng slapped the table, and Lu Changzhu slapped Liu Sanjin's face.

"You, you hit me? You old bastard, you only care about Lu Zhenping, that illegitimate child born from Bai Shuyu. Don't you think about my Jiaxuan, who's suffering somewhere now? Boohoo, you're also his father, how come you don't feel sorry for my Jiaxuan whom I gave birth to, boohoo..."

"If you keep causing trouble, I'll hit you again. Look at what you're saying. If you really drag the eldest into the mess, no one will save your son. Even if you speak nonsense, someone has to believe it first. If you want Jiaxuan to be okay, stop saying harsh words. When has the eldest's wife said she wouldn't care about it? If you're upset, don't take it out on her, or you'll be the worried one when she really doesn't care anymore!"

After lecturing Liu Sanjin, Lu Changzhu turned to Shen Meng, constantly apologizing to her.

"Eldest daughter-in-law, your mother is just too anxious and talks without thinking. Don't be angry. I know you and the eldest son have been working hard on Jiaxuan's matter. Your parents are aware. Tomorrow, tomorrow we'll go with your mother to find Lao Si's wife. As long as we can help Lao Si, we'll try any method. It's getting late; don't worry about us, go back quickly, your children are waiting at home!"

"Please don't put too much hope in me and Zhenping. Lao Si has caused trouble, and sooner or later, Zhenping and I will be investigated. By then, we might also be interrogated. It's best you go find Zhou Jiaojiao quickly."

After saying this, Shen Meng left directly. She and Lu Zhenping wouldn't really be investigated. Over the years, Lu Jiaxuan had been the Village Chief and publicly and secretly didn't acknowledge her and Lu Zhenping. Everyone in Ning County with status knows their situation more clearly than their family does.

Even if they do investigate, it won't affect her and Lu Zhenping directly.

When she reached Wang Lianhua's house, Lu Changhong was coaxing his younger son. After saying just two sentences, he was peed on quite a bit. He wasn't angry at all; in fact, he was extremely good-natured and even kissed the child.

"He's really spoiled beyond limits. All the children in the family are spoiled by him. Oh! Xiao Meng, quickly eat, it's still warm!"

"Ah, thank you for your hard work, Sister Lianhua."

Wang Lianhua wiped her hands on the corner of her apron.

"It's nothing hard. By the way, you're here so late because of Lu Jiaxuan's matter?"

"Yes!"

"Oh, I heard in the village that Zhou Jiaojiao took her two children to the county, carrying big bags. What's she doing, not coming back?"

Shen Meng ate a couple of mouthfuls of noodles and drank some soup; the warmth spread through her body.

"Yes, the textile factory allocated housing, so she's probably taken the children to live in the city."

"The reputation of Lao Si and his wife is very bad now. They say that in the past two years, while he was the Village Chief, he pocketed a lot of money and even kept a mistress. Nobody dares to say these things to Uncle and Auntie, fearing they'll be hurt."

Shen Meng glanced at Wang Lianhua, a bit surprised that they knew about these things too.

Seeing her puzzled look, Wang Lianhua whispered, "I'm not saying it, just heard it. It spread from the health clinic in Changhong's town and then spread privately. Don't worry, I dared not get involved."

"Hmm, how are Daqing and Erqing's studies going?"

"Oh, don't even mention it. These brats' scores dropped as soon as they went to middle school. We're worried to death. Yesterday, Erqing came back with a bruise on his eyelid. Only after asking did I learn the teacher pinched him for not memorizing his lessons. He didn't even feel embarrassed, just giggling foolishly. I really don't know what to do with them."

Shen Meng chuckled softly. These two children have indeed had a good life recently; their personalities have become much more cheerful than before.

Seeing that their lives are going well now, Shen Meng truly feels that all the years of hard work were worth it.

"By the way, has there been any personnel changes at the factory lately?"

"Yes, how could there not be. The Party Secretary brought in a staff member, supposed to be in charge of future client reception and financial audits at the factory. Isn't it nonsense? A staff member in charge of financials?"

"Hmm, it's nothing, just listen to the leadership. The leaders' thoughts are definitely more comprehensive than ours."

Although not entirely agreeing with Shen Meng, there was no choice but to comply since Shen Meng was no longer in charge, and even Li Qianqian didn't hold sway anymore. All major decisions had to be approved by county leaders.

The two chatted a bit more before Shen Meng rode her motorcycle back to the county town.